Shed Some Pounds To Reduce Your Back Pain

If back pain is getting you down, it's time to pick up the phone to call a chiropractor's office. Through a treatment plan and some lifestyle changes, it's possible to alleviate your back pain and restore your mobility and quality of life. Among the lifestyle changes that your chiropractor suggests might be to lose some weight. With nearly 35 percent of American adults considered obese, losing weight is applicable to many people. Excess weight is a common cause of back pain, given how the extra weight on your body puts a strain on your spine. Here are some simple ways to approach weight loss.

Understanding Weight Loss

Many people aren't able to achieve success in their attempts to lose weight because they aren't familiar with the science behind losing weight. As elusive as weight loss can be, the premise is simple -- you must burn more calories than you consume. The sensible approach to achieving this state, known as a "caloric deficit," is through a combination of dietary changes and an increase in the amount of exercise you get. Simply put, cutting back on your calories and becoming more active is often enough to lead to weight loss. Keep this concept in mind as you move forward, rather than try to look for a shortcut to weight loss.

Cutting Back The Calories

Although you don't have to begin dedicated calorie counting to lose weight, you do have to keep the caloric content of various foods in mind. In general, it's ideal to limit your consumption of foods with high fat or sugar levels, as these foods are loaded with calories. Another approach is to make a pledge to avoid drinking any calories; enjoying water instead of fruit juice, soda and alcoholic beverages can drastically reduce your caloric intake for the day. Find a dietary strategy that works for you. Some people find success simply by serving themselves smaller portions at meals, skipping desserts as much as possible and snacking on healthy foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables throughout the day to avoid overeating at mealtime.

Boosting Your Exercise

Some forms of exercise can be tough when you're contending with back pain, but your workout regimen doesn't have to be complicated. A simple exercise such as walking can be an effective calorie burner; a 200-pound person burns nearly 400 calories in 60 minutes of walking at 3.5 miles per hour. In order to lose weight, the key to using a moderate-intensity form of exercise such as walking is to exercise frequently. It's ideal to spend about five hours per week performing this exercise to see results. Consult with a chiropractor, such as Arizona Injury Centers /Accident Chiropractic, to work out a fitness and recovery plan.

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